Cocker Spaniels – The Lovable Cocker Spaniel

It's hard to resist the look in the soft warm eyes of a Cocker Spaniel. The breed is a great housedog and companion, as well as a terrific gun dog and outdoor companion. The Cocker Spaniel is one of the most even-tempered dogs and is very rarely aggressive or stubborn unless incorrectly trained or treated. Overall, they're very gentle dogs and do extremely well with children of all ages. They're very patient with even young children and seem to enjoy romping and playing with kids. Since they are by nature hunting and retrieving dogs, they will spend hours chasing a ball or stick.

Overall, a Cocker Spaniel is a very easy breed to train and housebreak. They are very sensitive to their owner’s voices and usually need just a gentle “No” to stop a behavior. A Cocker Spaniel should never be harshly punished or physically punished if they misbehave, as this can lead to timid and shy dogs. Ignoring them when they behave inappropriately is usually all that is needed to prevent a re-occurrence.

Cockers require exercise but will do well even in a small space as long as they are allowed to move about inside the house and have regular walks. They're generally very social dogs and have no difficulty with other dogs, cats or pets in the family. Of course, like all breeds, they do require socialization with other animals at a young age to assist with the process of getting along. They tend to be adaptable to travel and different settings and love to go new places and meet new people. They're very friendly with most people and are not guard dogs, although they make good watchdogs and are not prone to excessive barking.

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Grooming Your Cocker Spaniel

To keep your Cocker Spaniel looking tiptop, it's important to set up a regular grooming routine. The long, silky hair on the belly and legs of the Cocker will quickly become matted and tangled if not groomed on a regular basis. Daily brushing with a pin brush is all that's needed. Some pet hair detangler in a spray bottle can help with small knots and mats. Most Cocker Spaniels enjoy being groomed and willingly stand, as long as the groomer takes care not to pull on the hair.

Some owners prefer to keep their Cocker Spaniels clipped or trimmed to a medium length. There is also the shorter “puppy cut” that is very popular for Cockers that are outdoors, especially in hot climates. This cut minimizes the amount of grooming that's needed. Since the Cocker Spaniel is a water dog, they love bathing. Cockers will often dive into any water they come across and they enjoy splashing around and even playing fetch through water. If you have a dog that has lots of access to water, a short cut helps them dry quickly so they can easily get into the car or house even after a swim.

Cocker Spaniels are very prone to tearing and eye conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma. While cleaning cannot necessarily control cataracts and glaucoma, the tearing issue can be minimized with routine cleansing of the eye. Use a soft cloth with warm water or a mild eye cleansing solution to gently clean the eye, especially the inside corner, removing any debris or dust. Trim all the long hair around the eye to prevent irritation. If the tearing is ongoing or pronounced, be sure to have the condition checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Cocker Spaniels really are a lovable and easy-going breed. They appear to always be happy and will greet you at the door with a big smile, sloppy kiss and a wagging tail. The Cocker Spaniel breed does have some genetic health conditions, so be sure to buy from a reputable breeder to be sure you get a healthy, good-tempered puppy.